10 Best Waterfalls in North Georgia

North Georgia has more waterfalls than almost anywhere else in the Southeast, thanks to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chattahoochee National Forest, and a network of state parks built around them. We have hiked, photographed, and written about every waterfall on this list ourselves, and ranked them by a mix of height, scenery, and how rewarding the hike actually is. Whether you want a wheelchair-accessible overlook or a real day hike, there is a waterfall below for you.

Every waterfall here links to its own full N-Georgia.com page with trail length, difficulty, directions, and current park information, so use this list to pick your next trip and click through for the details.

1. Amicalola Falls

Height: 729 feet   Location: Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville

Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River and, at 729 feet, the tallest waterfall in Georgia by a wide margin. It sits inside Amicalola Falls State Park, an 829-acre park in the northeast Georgia mountains that also serves as the approach to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain. You can view the falls from an easy, wheelchair-accessible overlook near the visitor center, or climb the 604-step staircase on the West Ridge Falls Access Trail for a closer, more dramatic view. The park has 12 miles of hiking trails in total, along with camping, cottages, and a lodge if you want to make a weekend of it. Full trail details and current park hours are on our Amicalola Falls Waterfalls page.

2. Anna Ruby Falls

Height: 153 feet and 50 feet (twin falls)   Location: Unicoi State Park area, near Helen

Anna Ruby Falls is actually two separate waterfalls in one spot. Curtis Creek and York Creek both tumble off Tray Mountain and meet just below the falls, with Curtis Falls dropping 153 feet and York Falls dropping 50 feet a few yards away. The 0.4-mile trail to the viewing platform is paved and handicap accessible, which makes this one of the easiest big waterfalls in North Georgia to reach with kids or anyone who has trouble with rough terrain. It is a short drive from downtown Helen, so it pairs naturally with a day trip to the town's shops and restaurants. See our Anna Ruby Falls page for directions and trail notes.

3. Toccoa Falls

Height: 186 feet   Location: Toccoa Falls College campus, Toccoa

Toccoa Falls drops 186 feet, which is 19 feet taller than Niagara Falls, and it sits right on the campus of Toccoa Falls College in a wooded 1,100-acre setting. The walk in is short and mostly level, starting on asphalt and finishing on gravel, so it is an easy stop if you are passing through Stephens County and want a big payoff for very little walking. Because it is on private college property, treat the grounds respectfully and check current visiting hours before you go. More detail is on our Toccoa Falls page.

4. Tallulah Gorge Waterfalls

Height: Multiple falls along a gorge nearly 1,000 feet deep   Location: Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Gorge itself is the star here: a two-mile-long canyon that plunges nearly 1,000 feet, with a series of waterfalls tumbling along the Tallulah River at the bottom. Rim trails lead to several overlooks that need no permit at all, and a suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the gorge floor for a view straight down the river. If you want to hike to the gorge floor itself, the park issues a limited number of free permits each day, so plan to arrive early on busy weekends. The park's Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center is worth a stop too, with exhibits on the gorge's history as a Victorian-era resort town. Details are on our Tallulah Gorge State Park page.

5. DeSoto Falls

Height: 20 feet, 80 feet, and 200 feet (three falls)   Location: DeSoto Falls Recreation Area, Chattahoochee National Forest

DeSoto Falls is really three waterfalls along a three-mile stretch of trail inside a 650-acre recreation area of the Chattahoochee National Forest: a 20-foot lower falls, an 80-foot middle falls, and a dramatic 200-foot upper falls. The lower falls is an easy walk suitable for most hikers, while reaching the upper falls takes more effort on a longer, steeper trail. There is a small campground at the trailhead if you want to stay overnight nearby. Full trail notes are on our DeSoto Falls Waterfalls page.

6. Dukes Creek Falls

Height: About 150 feet   Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, near Helen

Dukes Creek Falls drops about 150 feet down a sheer granite canyon into Dukes Creek, with several smaller cascades visible along the walk down. The path is mostly easy with a few moderately steep sections, and the sound of the falls builds as you get closer, which makes the approach part of the fun. It is one of the more scenic short hikes near Helen and pairs well with a stop at Anna Ruby Falls on the same day. See our Dukes Creek Falls page for trail directions.

7. Raven Cliff Falls

Height: About 100 feet total   Location: Raven Cliffs Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest

Raven Cliff Falls is one of the more unusual waterfalls in North Georgia because the water flows through a natural split in a solid rock outcropping. Behind the split, the water drops about 60 feet, rushes through the narrow rock face, then drops another 20 feet into a pool before cascading a final 20 feet down to Dodd Creek. Three smaller waterfalls are also visible along Dodd Creek on the same hike. This is a longer, more strenuous outing than most on this list, so budget extra time. Trail details are on our Raven Cliff Falls page.

8. Panther Creek Falls

Height: 50 feet   Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, near Clarkesville

Panther Creek Falls builds gradually, with a series of smaller cascades along the trail before culminating in a 50-foot double falls near the end. Getting there takes the full 3.5-mile Panther Creek Trail, which follows the creek closely and makes for one of the prettier, less-rushed waterfall hikes on this list. Pack water and expect a real hike rather than a quick walk. More detail is on our Panther Creek Falls page.

9. Minnehaha Falls

Height: 100 feet   Location: Near Lake Rabun, Rabun County

Minnehaha Falls is a 100-foot series of cascading falls near Lake Rabun, named for the character in Longfellow's poem The Song of Hiawatha. Natural rock benches near the base give an up-close view as the water steps down a stair-like rock formation, and the short walk in makes it an easy add-on if you are already exploring the Lake Rabun area. It is one of the easier picturesque waterfalls in Rabun County to reach with young kids. See our Minnehaha Falls page for directions.

10. Dick's Creek Falls

Height: 60 feet   Location: Bartram Trail, Chattooga River, Rabun County

Dick's Creek Falls is tucked into the national forest along the Bartram Trail and empties straight into the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, the same river featured in the movie Deliverance. At 60 feet, it is smaller than some of the falls above, but it is also one of the least crowded on this list, with an easy-rated hike in. If you want a waterfall without the weekend crowds of Amicalola or Anna Ruby, this is a good pick. Trail directions are on our Dick's Creek Falls page.

Best time to go: Late winter and early spring bring the heaviest water flow after snowmelt and rain, while fall adds color to every hike on this list. Summer afternoons in the mountains can bring sudden thunderstorms, so aim for a morning start.

Footwear: Rocks near any waterfall stay slick even when they look dry. Wear real hiking shoes with grip, not sandals, and keep a safe distance from the edge of any overlook.

Parking passes: Georgia State Parks require a ParkPass for vehicles, and national forest trailheads sometimes require a separate parking fee. Check each waterfall's own page above for current requirements before you go.

For more trail ideas beyond waterfalls, see our full guide to the best hikes in North Georgia, or browse every waterfall we cover on the Georgia Waterfalls hub page.